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Education systems can be so different all over the world. As an international student, how do you determine if you’re eligible to study at a higher education institution in Germany?

The higher education entrance qualification or “Hochschulzugangsberechtigung” (HZB) is Germany’s collective term for the different education certificates that let you study at the university level.��

This article will cover the HZB in detail, including the various types of certificates, and how to check if your qualifications meet the German requirements.

What Is the German Higher Education Entrance Qualification?

The German higher education entrance qualification (HZB) covers all the qualifications that allow students to pursue higher education in Germany. This means that the HZB is not a single exam or qualification�����ܳ� a combination of requirements you must meet.

For international students, there are four main scenarios when considering higher education studies in Germany:

• Direct general admission. This allows you to apply directly to a degree program of your choice at a German university.
• Direct subject-restricted admission. You can apply directly to specific degree programs related to the subjects you’ve previously studied.
• General Admission to a Preparatory Course/Feststellungsprüfung (University Qualification Exam). You qualify to attend a preparatory course (Studienkolleg) and pass the university qualification exam (Feststellungsprüfung) to bridge the gap and be eligible for higher education in Germany.
• Unrecognized prior education. If your previous education doesn’t meet the requirements of the German university entrance qualification.

Types of German Higher Education Entrance Qualifications

To figure out where your qualifications stand compared to German ones, we can differentiate between these different types of HZB:

1. General Higher Education Entrance Qualification (Abitur).
2. Subject-Specific Higher Education Entrance Qualification (Fachgebundene Hochschulreife).
3. Higher Education Entrance Qualification to Study at a University of Applied Sciences (Fachhochschulreife).
4. Professional Qualifications Leading to Higher Education Entrance.
5. Foreign Qualifications Recognized in Germany.

Let’s go over each of these one by one:

1. General Higher Education Entrance Qualification (Allgemeine Hochschulreife)

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The German Allgemeine Hochschulreife or the Abitur is the most foolproof way to qualify for university entrance in the country.��

This qualification is earned after students successfully complete secondary education in Germany after they undergo a two-year qualification phase during their final years of upper secondary school.

Students with an Abitur can study at any university or higher education institution in Germany, including universities of applied sciences (Fachhochschulen), and colleges of art and music.

What Schools in Germany Can Award the Abitur?

Students can obtain the general higher education qualification from these types of institutions in Germany:

• Gymnasium (Grammar school or ‘academic’ secondary school).
• Abendgymnasium (Evening grammar school) & Kolleg (three-year adult education school).
• Fachgymnasium/Berufliches Gymnasium (Vocational grammar school).

2. Subject-Specific Higher Education Entrance Qualification (Fachgebundene Hochschulreife)

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The Fachgebundene Hochschulreife or the Fachabitur is another qualification that qualifies holders to study at a German university.��

However, as its title implies (subject-specific qualification), students can only study for specific subjects with this school-leaving certificate.��

For example, if a student majors in technology, they can study in programs such as bachelor’s in computer science, information systems, mathematics, etc.��

What Schools in Germany Can Award the Fachgebundene Hochschulreife?

Here are some of the institutions where students can gain the subject-specific higher education entrance qualification in Germany:

• Berufsoberschule (Vocational secondary school).
• Fachakademie (Specialized/vocational academy).
• Berufsfachschule (Vocational school).
• Berufskolleg (Vocational college).
• Studienkolleg (Preparatory college).

3. Higher Education Entrance Qualification to Study at a University of Applied Sciences (Fachhochschulreife)

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In Germany, universities of applied sciences or Fachhochschulen (FH) are higher education institutions that are slightly different from traditional universities. These typically offer study programs in engineering, natural sciences, economics, law, technology, design, social sciences, and healthcare.

The higher education entrance qualification to study at a university of applied sciences or the Fachhochschulerife (FHR)/ Fachabitur* qualifies holders to study at all courses at these institutions.��

In some federal states, the qualification may also grant you entry to some bachelor’s courses at a traditional university.

The qualification is usually gained after the 12th year of studies at a specialized upper secondary school (Fachoberschule).

What Schools in Germany Can Award the Fachhochschulreife?

The higher education qualification to study at a university of applied sciences is awarded after completing a vocational component (training or internship) and an academic component in grades 11 or 12 of upper secondary school (depending on the school system).

Some of the schools awarding this qualification in Germany are:

• Fachoberschule (Technical college)

• Berufsoberschule (Vocational secondary school)
• Berufskolleg (Vocational college)

4. Professional Qualifications Leading to Higher Education Entrance

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It is still possible to go to university if you don’t have a traditional school qualification like the Abitur, but you have completed vocational training and have work experience.��

There are two main pathways you can follow, depending on your professional and educational background:

Candidates With Professional Training of at Least 400 hours

Those who have undergone professional training courses that were at least 400 hours can qualify for the general higher education entrance qualification (Allgemeiner Hochschulzugang). To do so, you usually have to undergo a consultation with the university you plan to apply to.

The relevant qualifications include:

• Master craftsman examination – Meisterprüfung�� (in accordance with the provisions of the Vocational Training Act or the Crafts Code)
• Professional training examination – Fortbildungsprüfung (equivalent of the master craftsman examination and including 400 hours of a preparatory course)

Vocational Training Combined with Work Experience

Another way to qualify for higher education in Germany is through vocational training combined with professional experience.��

You must have completed at least two years of vocational training and have at least three years of work experience in a related field to qualify for subject-specific higher education qualification.��

You should have a secondary school leaving certificate, and depending on the university, a good final grade. It is not uncommon to also have to demonstrate your knowledge in the subjects through a written or oral examination administered by the university.

5. Equivalent International Qualifications

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There are a few international qualifications that are directly recognized as equivalent to the German HZB:

• School leaving certificates from EU countries plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland – directly qualify you for university entrance in Germany if said certificate qualifies you for university studies in your country.
• International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB Diploma) – if it includes six subjects (three at Higher Level), meets specific grading and subject requirements, and is awarded after twelve years of full-time education.
• School leaving certificate from a German school abroad – The “Reifeprüfung,” “Hochschulreifeprüfung,” or “Deutsche Internationale Abiturprüfung” (DIA) are equivalent to the Abitur from a school in Germany.
• General Certificate of Education (GCE) – If you have three A Levels with at least a grade C, meet subject-specific requirements based on your intended field of study, and have completed at least 12 years of schooling.
• Applicants to specific artistic programs – It is possible to qualify for artistic subjects without formal higher education through outstanding samples or undergoing an aptitude test from the school.

So, How Do I Know if My Qualification Is Equivalent to the German HZB?

There are a couple of ways to figure out where your foreign qualification stands compared to the German higher education entrance qualification:

Anabin Database (German Language)

The is the best way to find out if your qualifications are recognized in Germany. The website is in German, so if you’re not familiar with the language, you may need to use Google Translate or another translation tool.

Follow these steps to check your qualifications with Anabin:

1. Visit the
2. Select your country.
3. Click on your qualification (e.g., Secondary school leaving certificate – after 12 classes from India)
4. Review the level of access your qualification provides for German higher education. (e.g. combined with 1 year of university studies in India, the secondary school leaving certificate after 12 classes is equivalent to the subject-specific higher education qualification in Germany.

DAAD Database

The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) admission database is another useful resource to check your qualifications. Since the website is in English, it may be easier to navigate if you don’t know German. However, the information here is meant to serve as an orientation, unlike the binding information that you’ll find in the Anabin database.

To verify your qualification through DAAD, and answer the mandatory questions with information about your education and qualifications.

Contact the University

If you consulted Anabin and DAAD but you’re not so sure yet or you think your qualification meets the basis for some kind of exemption, you can talk to a university representative to get their advice.

The best way to reach them is to check their website and find the email address of the university’s international office or relevant authority.

What if My Foreign Qualification Is Not Sufficient?

If you’ve been told that your qualification doesn’t meet requirements to apply to German higher education institution, there are two main alternatives:

1. Studienkolleg and the FSP
2. Complete Additional Education in Your Home Country

Studienkolleg and the FSP

Depending on your qualification, you may be eligible to attend a preparatory course for university studies called the Studienkolleg. This is a one year program that aims to bridge the gap between your previous education and higher education studies in Germany.��

To enroll in a Studienkolleg, you need to undergo an entrance examination (Aufnahmeprüfung) and have proof of B2 level (CEFR) German language proficiency.

The Studienkolleg will prepare you for a university entrance qualification exam called the Feststellungsprüfung (FSP). Passing this exam ultimately qualifies you to apply to a German higher education institution.

> Read our detailed guide on the Studienkolleg and FSP here.

Complete Additional Education in Your Home Country

In some cases, successfully completing one year of university studies in your home country will be sufficient to meet university admission requirements for Germany.

You will, of course, have to meet other general requirements set by the higher education institution and for the specific program you plan to apply to.